A systematic study of the texts in which Lucretius seems to show psychoanalytic insight reveals that he did have a notion of unconscious motivation; and I also attempt to reconstruct its philosophical basis. This is a close study, useful in teaching because it proposes a specific, fairly radical idea which can stimulate thought and discussion.

“Poetry and Science in Early Greece”. Labyrinth (January 1985) 14-15.

Written for high school students, this paper states concisely what role I believe poetic expression played in relation to knowledge for Empedocles and his contemporaries.

“Lucretius, Cybele and Religion”. Phoenix 39 (1985) 250-262.

Comparison with other sources for the Cybelean allegory reveals Lucretius’ Epicurean point of view. One of the other sources discussed here is Ovid, and this article is complemented by the following one.

The entire structure of Lucretius’ sixth book is based on leading the reader to philosophical detachment through a universal perspective on the natural cycle of coming to be and passing away. My view of the poetic perspective was inspired by Minadeo’s wonderful little book, but in my analysis it is integrated with an interpretation of Lucretius’ Epicurean instruction.This article is used for teaching because it discusses major Lucretian issues in a commentary that progresses sequentially through Book 6.

“Translating Strato: The role of translations in the Study of Ancient Sexuality and the Understanding of Classical Erotica”. Mouseion, Series III vol. 5 (2005) 47-57.

Daryl Hine has attempted an uncensored translation of Strato with erotic content, allusions, and humour to which modern readers can relate. But comparison of his translation and others reveals unavoidable distortion of important evidence offered by Strato regarding sensitive issues in the study of ancient sexuality. To encourage experimentation with innovative translation techniques which may better serve the complex needs of readers and researchers, I present a model combining free adaptation with a rigorous translator’s commentary. This paper raises interesting questions regarding Greek homosexuality, and at the same time sensitizes the reader to the linguistic and cultural relativity of this subject. It is reportedly already in use in both sexuality and translation courses.

"Lucian's Triumphant cinaedus and Rogue Lovers", Helios 36, 1 (Spring 2009) examines two neglected texts of Lucian which illustrate his relevance for our understanding of ancient social values relating to sex, and the relevance of ancient sexual conventions for interpreting his own work. In Dialogues of the Dead 19 (numbered as in the Loeb edition), Lucian, following Cynic values, reveals a more tolerant attitude towards pathic sexuality than most sources, by eliciting unconventional admiration for a cinaedus who outwits his legacy hunters. And a study of Alexander the False Prophet 5 in view of conventional Greek expectations regarding pederasty casts new light on the interpretation of that controversial work.